[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 130 (Tuesday, September 15, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2274]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOMMENDING TEACHING CONSTITUTION TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

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                               speech of

                           HON. JOHN BOOZMAN

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 14, 2009

  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to express my 
support, not only for the principles of House Resolution 686, but for 
all of the historical foundations of our Nation and its laws. The 
Constitution is our Nation's most precious and important document. The 
Constitution spells out the vision that our founders had for this land 
and its people, while directing us on how to protect the many freedoms 
and gifts it provides us. A fundamental understanding of social 
studies, like many other subjects, is imperative for our children, and 
our Nation, to achieve their greatest potential. That understanding of 
social studies must include many things, but most importantly an 
understanding of our Constitution, our Founding Fathers, their vision 
and ideals for this Republic, and a sense of civic duty that embodies 
charity and the American spirit of independence. In order for our 
students to grasp these concepts and relate them to the rest of their 
educational experiences and daily lives, these concepts and themes must 
be revisited throughout the education of young Americans and not just 
for a week in September. As the Constitution is the foundation of our 
Republic and its laws and principles, in teaching our students about 
American government and American history the Constitution should 
provide a foundation and frame of reference throughout the educational 
process. I am greatly appreciative for all of our teachers and 
education professionals and thank them for the service they provide to 
our communities. I would encourage them to include our founding 
documents and the lessons provided by our Founding Fathers into their 
classrooms whenever possible.

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